Doctor truth-teller from Vitebsk criticise authorities again

Ihar Pastnou demands a meeting with Lukashenka's aide.

The doctor from Vitebsk, who criticised the local authorities and the state of medical institutions in the region, wants to meet with Lukashenka's aide Damashkevich to tell him about new violations.

The truth-teller, as he was dubbed by journalists, underwent compulsory psychiatric treatment after his appeal on the internet in August. But he didn't give up his activity.

Ihar Pastnou has been working in the Vitebsk psychiatric hospital as a narcologist for some months. He received this job after the compulsory psychiatric treatment.

He disagrees with the decision of the Vitebsk court and appeals against the decision on compulsory treatment. After his appeal was dismissed by the regional court, the Vitebsk doctor applied to the chairman of the regional court.

Ihar Pastnou says in his new statement that nothing has changed in the healthcare system in the Vitebsk region, Radio Svaboda reports. He was taken to psychiatric hospital after he had posted a video appeal on the internet about compulsory alcohol addiction treatment funded by the state for agricultural workers and homeless people. He continues to make critical statements:

“I suffered for homeless people. I was against taking them and agricultural workers to hospital. The same problems remain now. Hospitals, including infectious diseases hospitals, need repair. But the governor's house was built on the state funds. I was taken to psychiatric hospital, but it's not the end.”

Ihar Pastnou says politician Siarhei Ryzhou was taken to a sobering-up room and beaten on November 16. The Investigation Committee carries out an inquiry into the incident.

Pastnou reminds that Siarhei Ryzhou was among those who tried to protect him from compulsory treatment. The doctor, who now supports Ryzhou, wrote a letter to Lukashenka's aide Mikalai Damashkevich about the incident. Ihar Pastnou wants to meet with him to tell him about what he calls “fascism moods in society”, but he is not sure he will be allowed to talk to the official.